Euplectella Aspergillium

The sea sponge has a unique architecture more sphisticated than current mechanical human technology. A skeleton made of silica and chalk, it is very strong. Like the Toucan beak, it uses a special geometry and is basically made of glass, but lives at crushing depths. A heavy man can jump up and down on it with little effect.

The crisscross beams in the walls of the silica sea sponge Euplectella aspergillum make up one of several strength-bestowing levels of design.